A security document

Abstract

A security document includes a first leaf having a first polymer substrate and a first reinforcement layer attached or formed with the first leaf. An outer leaf is attached to the first leaf along a fold line and is located between the first leaf and a cover. The first reinforcement layer extends along the first leaf at least partially along the fold line and at least partially away from the fold line on both sides of the fold line. The security document also has methods of manufacturing such a security document and a plurality of such security documents.

1 . A security document comprising at least two leaves attached together along a fold line and a cover located on the outside of the at least two leaves, wherein the at least two leaves comprise:
 a first leaf comprising a first polymer substrate,   a first reinforcement layer is attached or formed with the first leaf, the first reinforcement layer being a strip extending along the first leaf at least partially along the fold line and at least partially away from the fold line on both sides of the fold line; and   an outer leaf located between the first leaf and the cover.   
     
     
         2 . A security document as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least two leaves are attached together along the fold line by a plurality of stitches. 
     
     
         3 . A security document as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first reinforcement layer and first leaf together have a higher resistance to tear initiation from the fold line than the first leaf alone. 
     
     
         4 . A security document as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first reinforcement layer is adhered, welded and/or fused to the first leaf. 
     
     
         5 . A security document as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first reinforcement layer comprises at least one of a tape, a woven mesh, a woven fabric, a polymer film, a security thread and a fibrous substrate. 
     
     
         6 . A security document as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first reinforcement layer comprises at least one spine security feature. 
     
     
         7 . A security document as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the first reinforcement layer comprises a base substrate and the at least one spine security feature is located on or at least partially embedded in the base substrate. 
     
     
         8 . A security document as claimed in  claim 6  wherein at least one spine security feature is visible when the security document is open. 
     
     
         9 . A security document as claimed in  claim 6  wherein at least one spine security feature is hidden when the security document is open. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A security document as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first leaf comprises a first polymer page on a first side of the fold line and a further polymer page on a second side of the fold line, the first polymer page comprising personal data. 
     
     
         14 . A security document as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the further polymer page comprises a tab, which is smaller than the first polymer page and comprises the first reinforcement layer, on a second side of the fold line. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A security document as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the outer leaf is adhered to the cover. 
     
     
         18 . A security document as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a second reinforcement layer attached to a second leaf, the second reinforcement layer extending at least partially along the fold line and at least partially away from the fold line. 
     
     
         19 . A security document as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first polymer substrate comprises a flexible film and/or at least one opacifying layer on at least one surface of the polymer substrate. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A security document as claimed in  claim 1  comprising a third leaf attached to the first leaf along the fold line, the third leaf comprising a second polymer substrate and a connection tab extending from the second polymer substrate. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A security document as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the connection tab is thinner and/or more flexible that the second polymer substrate. 
     
     
         26 . A security document as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the connection tab is attached to the first leaf through the first reinforcement layer along the fold line by a plurality of stitches. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method of manufacturing a security document, the method comprising:
 forming a first leaf comprising a first polymer substrate;   attaching to or forming with the first leaf a first reinforcement layer;   attaching the first leaf to at least one further leaf along a fold line; and   locating a cover on the outside of the first leaf and at least one further leaf, the at least one further leaf comprising an outer leaf located between the first leaf and the cover,   wherein the first reinforcement layer is a strip and extends along the first leaf at least partially along the fold line and at least partially away from the fold line on both sides of the fold line.   
     
     
         29 . A method as claimed in  claim 28  wherein the first leaf is attached to the at least one further leaf along the fold line by stitching. 
     
     
         30 . A method as claimed in  claim 28  wherein the first reinforcement layer is attached to or formed with the first leaf by welding or adhesive. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled)